The xbolt is a gold medallion so it doesnt leave the case, plus i am an avid shooter and the ruger will get practiced with alot. I know the 308, 270, 30/06 and 243 are great choices but im i guess uneducated on 3 calibers i havent owned; 280, 7mm-08, 7mm mag. The recoil of my 308 x bolt is about tops id like to have for ease of making well places shots, because as we all know its not the bullet, its where the bullet hits.